More and more companies and industries are switching to Agile methods such as Scrum, Kanban and Lean Management, following the lead of high-tech companies from Silicon Valley. Originally developed in software development, agile methods can also be transferred to other areas of the company outside of IT. Because agile combines dealing with people and dealing with complexity.
Even if the goal of agility is self-organization, it is essential to adhere to rules of the game and guiding principles so that projects do not end in chaos. Therefore, the Agile Manifesto describes rules of conduct and values of agile teams. The Agile Manifesto was written in 2001 by 17 renowned software developers and contains 12 principles (source: http://agilemanifesto.org/principles.html).
We are convinced that agile methods also help us as an it recruitment consultancy, which works with people and a high level of complexity every day, to become better and more effective in our daily work. This conviction and the points of contact with our clients and candidates gave rise to the idea of introducing agile methods at MINT Solutions and adapting them to the needs of an HR consultancy and our business model.
Our employees are guided by the guiding principles and principles of the Agile Manifesto of 2001 and mix these with Kanban methods in their daily work.
Since there was hardly any teaching material for HR consultancies and sales teams when we launched in March 2016, and there is hardly any to this day that we could and can draw on, we developed our own manifesto and continue to develop it. We work on our agile mindset every day and show our trot transparency in our Daily.
The 4 guiding principles of agile recruiting at MINT Solutions
1. individuals, interactions and results are more important than processes and tools
2. fast and target-oriented recruitment is more important than documentation
3. cooperation with the client is more important than contract negotiations
4. mediation and responding to change are more important than following a plan.
The 12 principles of agile recruiting at MINT Solutions
1. our highest priority is to satisfy our clients through fast and continuous placements by presenting the most suitable candidates/jobs possible.
2. requirement changes are welcome even late in the process, because agile processes use change for competitive advantage.
3. regularly introduce good candidates within a few days or weeks until the project is completed, preferring the shorter time frame. Time kills deals!
4. decision makers and recruiters have to work very closely and almost daily together during the project.
5. build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need and trust them to get the job done.
6. the most efficient and effective way to communicate information to and within a team is in regular face-to-face conversation
7. functioning recruiting processes and activities are the most important measure of progress.
8. agile processes promote sustainable development. Our clients and candidates, as well as the researchers and consultants, should be able to maintain a steady pace indefinitely.
9. constant attention to qualitative recruiting processes and pipeline activities promote agility.
10. keep it simple and reduce complexity.
11. the best ideas, solutions and suggestions for improvement come from self-organized teams.
12. at regular intervals, the team reflects on how it can become more effective and adjusts its behavior accordingly.
